System for manually controlling an electric switching member

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for manually controlling an electric switching member includes a control button, a guide for guiding the movement of a moving element of the switching member, and a link which moves longitudinally in the direction of travel of the control button and laterally into an abutting position which prevents longitudinal movement of the link. The mechanism further includes an element secured to the control button and configured to contact the link to cause the longitudinal movement of the link, a first spring configured to push the control button into a pulled-out position, a second return spring configured to push the link out of the abutting position, and a cylindrical bushing in which the control button slides.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to manually operated mechanismscontrolling the opening or closing of electric switching members (on-offswitches, etc.), especially circuit breakers.

These mechanisms in general make it possible to perform switching in onedirection by pushing-in a control button and to disengage switching inthe other direction by acting either on the same control button or onanother button.

In the case of circuit breakers, disengagement in the other direction,when the same button is used, is theoretically achieved by pulling onthe pushed-in button; the pulled-out position is in any case the one towhich the button returns automatically when the circuit is broken.However, in the case of on-off switches, disengagement usually isachieved by pushing the pushed-in button in again, the button thencoming free and being able to return to its position of rest(push-button action).

Under certain conditions, these types of action are not the mostpractical to use and it may be preferable, for example, fordisengagement of a circuit breaker to be achieved by pushing thepushed-in button in again. This is the case, for example, with circuitbreakers placed in a very confined space such as the cockpit of anaircraft. However, the solution that consists in replacing within acircuit breaker the button that can be disengaged by pulling with apushbutton of the "on-off switch" type is only partially satisfactorybecause it entails a movement that is the opposite of what the user isaccustomed to performing in the case of a circuit breaker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to alleviate this drawback, the invention proposes a newmechanism for manual operation which can be used for a circuit breakerbut which can also be adapted to an on-off switch or any other type ofelectric switching member. This mechanism comprises a minimum number ofparts and has a low manufacturing cost.

To achieve this, the invention proposes a system for manuallycontrolling an electric switching member, comprising a control button, aguide for the movement of a moving element of the switching member, themoving element being able to move between a position of rest and a workposition, the control button being able to move between a stablepushed-in position and a stable pulled-out position, a mechanism suchthat an action of pushing on the button when it is in the pushed-inposition causes a change from the work position to the position of restand a return of the button to the pulled-out position, and such that anaction of pulling on the button when it is in the pushed-in positionalso causes a change from the work position to the position of rest andthe return of the button to the pulled-out position, characterized inthat the mechanism comprises:

a link which moves longitudinally in the direction of travel of thecontrol button, which can also tilt into an abutting position whichprevents its longitudinal movement and which can finally be made to movelongitudinally;

an element secured to the control button and causing the longitudinalmovement of the link;

a first spring allowing the control button to be returned to itspulled-out position;

a second return spring allowing the link to be pushed back out of itsabutting position;

a cylindrical bushing in which the control button slides.

It will be noted that patent DE 4301213 has already proposed a switchwhich, having been actuated into the work position by a control button,can return to a position of rest, either by pushing it again, or bypulling on the control button, the latter action being considered as awrong move and return to a position of rest serving merely to preventdamage to the mechanism when the user erroneously pulls on the controlbutton.

The control mechanisms of the prior art are adapted to a single type ofswitching member; they are complicated and expensive and make no attemptto secure the return of the switching member to the position of rest innormal operation either by pushing or by pulling the control button.

The mechanism proposed by the invention has the advantage of comprisinga minimum number of mechanical parts and of being of a low manufacturingcost.

The link is shaped in such a way as to push the switching member towardsits work position or as to pull it towards its position of rest.

The link remains jammed in its abutting position by a moving element ofthe switching member which presses against the link when this member isin its work position.

The link can come free of its abutting position by pushing on thebutton, which then presses directly on the moving element of theswitching member, which then stops exerting pressure on the link. Thelink can come free of its abutting position by pulling on the button,this pulling exerting on the link a sufficient tilting force that thelink moves the moving element into a position in which it allows thelink to tilt, to disengage from the abutting position, and then to slidelongitudinally.

The connection between the control button and the link is preferably viaa rod secured to the button, transverse to the movement of the button,and an opening pierced in the link, the rod passing through thisopening.

The opening has a shape such that the link can tilt and such that themoving element of the switching member is pushed either by the link (tomove towards the work position) or by the button (to free the link bythe pushing of the button). For this, the opening preferably has a shapewith two notches of different depths in which the rod of the button canbe housed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear fromreading the description of examples of a manual control system accordingto the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a partial cutaway view of the manual control mechanism inthe pushed-in position;

FIGS. 2a and 2b depict sectional views of the button, rod, and linksubassembly;

FIG. 3a is a simplified sectional view of the manual control mechanismin the pulled-out position;

FIG. 3b is a simplified sectional view of the manual control mechanismin the pulled-out position;

FIG. 3c is a sectional view of the manual control mechanism in thepulled-out position;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the manual control mechanism with a forceP₁ being applied to the control button;

FIG. 4a shows the relative movement of a rod of the control button withrespect to a link between the position of FIG. 3c and the position ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the manual control mechanism in thepushed-in position;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the manual control mechanism in thepushed-in position;

FIG. 6a shows the relative movement of the rod with respect to the linkbetween the position of FIG. 5 and the position of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the manual control mechanism with thecircuit breaker locked in the work position;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the manual control mechanism when apulling force T is exerted on the control button;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the manual control mechanism in thepulled-out position;

FIG. 9a shows the relative movement of the rod with respect to the linkbetween the position shown in FIG. 8 and the position shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the manual control mechanism in thepushed-in position with a pressure P₂ applied to the control button;

FIG. 10a shows the relative movement of the rod with respect to the linkbetween the position of FIG. 7 and the position of FIG. 10;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the manual control mechanism when thecontrol button is pushed in to unlock the circuit breaker;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the manual control mechanism returning tothe rest position under the force F of a first return spring; and

FIG. 12a shows the relative movement between the rod and the linkbetween the position in FIG. 11 and the position in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the remainder of the description, an upper part or a lower part is tobe understood as referring to an element when the system is in theposition of the figures that aid this description.

A manual control system 10 depicted in perspective in FIG. 1,collaborating with the moving element of a circuit breaker (not depictedin FIG. 1) comprises:

a cylindrical bushing 11 of circular shape with axis XX' having, at itslower part, a base 11a in the form of a planar surface perpendicular tothe axis of revolution XX' of the bushing 11;

a guide 12 with a cylindrical body of circular shape on the axis XX',the lower part of which comprises a shoulder 12a in a planeperpendicular to the axis of revolution XX' of the body. The body of theguide 12 comprises an upper part 12b and a lower part 12c which arecontiguous. The diameter of the upper part 12b is smaller than thediameter of the lower part 12c, creating a cylindrical shoulder 12d ofcircular shape.

A first return spring 18 of helical shape is placed around the upperpart 12b of the guide 12 and rests against the shoulder 12d. A firstslot 16 lying in a plane passing through the axis XX' of the cylindricalbody of the guide 12 allows a link 20 to move. A second slot 17 lying inthe shoulder 12a and in a plane perpendicular to the plane in which thefirst slot 16 lies contains a second return spring 19, for example inthe form of a leaf. The first slot 16 opens into the central region ofthe second slot 17, allowing the link 20 to be brought into contact withthe second spring 19. The position of rest of the second spring 19 beingthe position that corresponds to its largest radius of curvature withinthe slot 17.

The bushing 11 and the guide 12 are mounted coaxially along the axisXX'. The base 11a of the bushing 11 being fixed by appropriate means tothe shoulder 12a of the guide 12.

A cylindrical control button 13 of circular shape and axis XX' can movelinearly in the upper part of the bushing 11 between the bushing 11 andthe guide 12. The button 13 at its upper part has a larger part 13amaking it easy to grasp hold of for pulling it. A rod 22 mountedperpendicularly to the axis XX' of the button 13 is secured to thebutton, for example by crimping.

The first spring 18 is compressed between the cylindrical shoulder 12dof the guide 12 and the button 13.

FIG. 1 shows the position of the mechanism in which position the link 20exerts a force on the second spring 19 which is pushed against the outerwall of the second slot 17. The bushing 11 covers the second slot 17 ofthe guide 12, and a shoulder 28 of the link 20 lies under the base 11aof the bushing 11.

FIGS. 2a and 2b show two sections, respectively on axis B--B and on axisA--A of a subassembly that consists of the control button 13, the rod 22and the link 20.

The link 20, of elongate shape (FIG. 2a), comprises in its upper part,an opening 21 which has a first notch 26 and a second notch 27 whichhave different depths. The lower part of the link 20 has the shape ofhalf a pair of tongs allowing the moving element (not depicted in thefigure) of the circuit breaker to be pushed or pulled and comprises ashoulder 28 allowing the mechanism 10 to be jammed in the work positionof the circuit breaker.

The button 13 (FIG. 2b) comprises an outer wall 41 and an inner body 29through which there passes, along the longitudinal axis of the button, afirst slit 30 allowing the passage and guidance of the link 20 in theplane of this first slit 30. The first slit 30 is widened by a secondslit 31 situated at the lower part of the inner body 29 to allow thepassage of the upper part of the moving element of the switching member,not depicted in FIGS. 2a and 2b. A stop 32, created by the difference inwidth of the first slit 30 and of the second slit 31 will allow thepressure exerted on the control button 13 to be transmitted to themoving element of the circuit breaker. A space 40 of cylindrical shapesituated between the inner body 29 and the wall 41 of the button 13allows the passage of the guide 12 and of the first spring 18 (which arenot depicted in FIGS. 2a and 2b).

The way in which the manual control system 10 works will now bedescribed.

The manual control system 10 (FIG. 1) works in conjunction with themoving control element of a circuit breaker (not depicted in FIG. 1),and in order to gain a better understanding of the interaction betweenthe mechanism 10 and the moving element of the circuit breaker, FIG. 3ashows a simplified section on the plane of the link 20 of the manualcontrol system 10 comprising the moving element 50 for controlling thecircuit breaker assembly 55 in the scenario where the control button 13is in the pulled-out position.

FIG. 3b shows a simplified section on an axis C--C of the guide 12 withthe moving element 50 for controlling the circuit breaker assembly 55.The guide 12 comprises a passage 52 allowing the upper part of themoving element 50 to be housed when the button 13 is in the pulled-outposition.

The moving element 50 is equipped with a cylinder 53 moving either inthe work position or in the position of rest, in a groove 54 providedfor this purpose in the body of the circuit breaker assembly 55. Themanually controlled mechanism 10 is secured to the body of the circuitbreaker assembly 55 depicted partially in FIG. 3b.

FIG. 3c shows the button 13 in the pulled-out position, and the movingelement 50 for controlling the circuit breaker assembly 55 is in theposition of rest.

The first return spring 18 is compressed between the button 13 and theguide 12. The forces F exerted by the first spring 18 on the button 13position the rod 22 secured to the button 13 so that it rests againstthe top part of the opening 21 in the link 20. In this position, the rod22 exerts on the link 20 the force F1 and on the moving element 50 ofthe circuit breaker, a force F2 on the lower, tong-shaped part, of thelink 20. The forces on the link are balanced by a third, reaction forceF3 from the bushing 11, against which the link 20 presses.

Reference is made to FIG. 4:

Sufficient pressure P₁ is exerted in the direction of the axis XX' onthe button 13 which moves in the bushing 11, compressing the firstspring 18. The rod 22 drops into the second notch 27 of the opening 21in the link 20. FIG. 4a shows the relative movement of the rod 22 of thebutton 13 with respect to the link 20 between the position of FIG. 3cand that of FIG. 4.

Reference is made to FIG. 5:

When the rod 22 comes to rest against the bottom of the notch 27, themovement of the button 13 is transmitted to the link 20 by the force F5and to the moving element 50 of the switching member by the force F6.The pressure P₁ on the button 13 is exerted until the pin 53 comes intoabutment against the bottom of the groove 54 provided in the body of thecircuit breaker assembly 55. In this position, under the effect of theforces F5 and the reaction force F'6 which are exerted on the link bythe rod 22 and the moving element 50 respectively, the link tilts underthe bushing 11, into the second slot 17 of the guide 12, compressing thesecond spring 19. A force F4 exerted by the second spring 19, compressedonto the outer wall of the second slot 17, keeps the link in a positionof equilibrium.

Reference is made to FIG. 6:

The pressure on the button 13 is released. The circuit breaker isbrought into the work position and a permanent force F7 is exerted onthe link 20 by the circuit breaker through the moving element 50. Thiscauses the link 20 to tilt about the rod 22 of the button 13 whichadopts a new position at the height of the notch 26 in the opening 21 ofthe link 20 and causes the mechanism to lock by the anchoring of theshoulder 28 of the link under the bushing 11 (force F8).

FIG. 6a shows the relative movement of the rod 22 with respect to thelink 20 between the position of FIG. 5 and that of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 shows the button 13 in the pushed-in position.

As the link 20 is in the jammed position, the force F9 on the rod 22balances the return forces F exerted by the spring 18 on the button 13.The circuit breaker is locked in the work position.

Starting from this stable position characterized by a pushed-in positionof the button 13 for controlling the manually operated mechanism 10 andthe circuit breaker being locked in the work position, one of twopossible actions can be chosen for unlocking the circuit breaker andreturning it to its position of rest which is characterized by thebutton 13 for controlling the manually operated mechanism 10 being in apulled-out position.

First possible action:

Reference is made to FIG. 8:

Starting from the stable position of FIG. 7, a pulling force T isexerted on the button 13 in the direction of the axis XX'. This force istransmitted to the link 20 by the rod 22 of the button 13 via the forceF10. When this force becomes greater than the resisting force of theshoulder 28 of the link 20 being anchored under the bushing 11, thelink, disengaging from the second slot 19, transmits the pulling forceF10 exerted by the button 13 on the link to the moving element 50. Thetong-shaped lower part of the link pulls the moving element 50 (forceF11). This action causes the circuit breaker to tilt into its positionof rest.

Reference is made to FIG. 9:

The pulling force on the button 13, or simply the force of the firstspring 18 on the button 13 when the mechanism is disengaged, causes thelink 20 to tilt and the system is returned to its initial position. Thebutton finds itself once more in the pulled-out position and the circuitbreaker in the position of rest, as depicted in its initial position inFIG. 3c.

FIG. 9a shows the relative movement of the rod 22 with respect to thelink 20 between the position of FIG. 8 and that of FIG. 9.

Second possible action:

Reference is made to FIG. 10:

Starting from the stable position of FIG. 7, pressure P2 is exerted onthe button 13 in the direction of the axis XX', the rod 22 drops intothe notch 26 of the opening 21 in the link 20. The link is held inposition by the force F12 exerted by the moving element 50.

The stop 32 on the inner body 29 of the button 13 comes into contactwith the upper part of the moving element 50 (force F13).

FIG. 10a shows the relative movement of the rod 22 with respect to thelink 20 between the position of FIG. 7 and that of FIG. 10.

Reference is made to FIG. 11:

The pressure P2 exerted on the button 13 is transmitted by the stop 32of the body 29 of the button 13 to the upper part of the moving element50 (force F13), moving it towards the lower part of the guide 12 untilthe cylinder 53 comes into abutment in the lower part of the groove 54of the body of the circuit breaker assembly 55.

In this position of the manually controlled mechanism 10, the force F12(see FIG. 10) exerted by the moving element 50 on the link 20 disappearsand the second return spring 19 exerting the force F14 on the link 20,pushes it out of the second slot 17 of the guide 12. The shoulder 28 ofthe link 20 comes disengaged from its anchorage under the bushing 17.

Reference is made to FIG. 12:

The pressure P2 on the button 13 is released. The return forces Fexerted by the first spring 18 lends to return the button 13 towards itspulled-out position. A pulling force F15 is exerted by the rod 22,secured to the button 13, on the link 20.

The pulling force F15 is transmitted by the half pair of tongs from thelink 20 to the moving element 50 of the circuit breaker assembly 53 inthe form of a force F16 which pulls the moving element 50 towards theupper part of the guide 12 towards its initial position of rest. Thelink 20 moves in the bushing 11 which exerts a reaction force F17 on thelink 20, keeping it in contact with the moving element 50 as it moves inthe guide 12. FIG. 12a shows the relative movement of the rod 12 withrespect to the link 20 between the position of FIG. 11 and that of FIG.12.

The new position of the manually controlled mechanism 10 is identical tothe one depicted in FIG. 8, causing the link to tilt into the positionshown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 9a shows the relative movement of the rod 22 with respect to thelink 20 between the position of FIG. 8 and that of FIG. 9.

The manual control system 10 is returned to its initial position of FIG.3c. The button 13 finds itself once again in the pulled-out position,and the switching member in the position of rest.

We claim:
 1. A mechanism for manually controlling an electric switching member, comprising:a control button; a guide configured to guide the movement of a moving element of the electric switching member between a position of rest and a work position; a link configured to move longitudinally in a direction of travel of the control button and configured to tilt into an abutting position that prevents longitudinal movement of the link; a button element coupled to the control button and configured to contact the link to transfer to the link a force applied to the button; a first return spring configured to push the control button into a pulled-out position; a second return spring configured to push the link out of the abutting position; and a bushing defining a space in which the control button slides and in which an upper portion of the link is positioned.
 2. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the link is configured to push the moving element into the work position and pull the moving element into the position of rest.
 3. A mechanism according to claim 2, wherein a lower portion of the link forms a tong configured to pull and push the moving element.
 4. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the link comprises:a shoulder configured to jam the link in the abutting position.
 5. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the link has an opening configured to allow the link to tilt, the button element being positioned in the opening.
 6. A mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the opening forms a first notch configured to receive the button element and a second notch configured to receive the button element, the first notch and the second notch having different depths.
 7. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the guide is coupled to the bushing.
 8. A mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the guide comprises:a shoulder abutting a lower portion of the first return spring; a first slot in which the link moves; a second slot in which the second return spring is positioned.
 9. A mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the first slot opens into the second slot and the link is configured to contact the second return spring.
 10. A mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the guide comprises:an upper cylindrical portion; and a lower cylindrical portion having a diameter larger than the upper cylindrical portion, the shoulder being formed between the upper cylindrical portion and the lower cylindrical portion.
 11. A mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the bushing covers the second slot of the guide and the first shoulder is configured to jam in abutment against a lower portion of the bushing.
 12. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first return spring comprises:a helical spring.
 13. A mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the second return spring comprises:a leaf spring.
 14. A mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the control button is configured to move linearly between the bushing and the guide.
 15. A mechanism according to claim 14, wherein the control button is cylindrical and has a longitudinal axis.
 16. A mechanism according to claim 14, wherein the control button comprises:an inner body defining a first slit along the longitudinal axis, the upper portion of the link being positioned within the first slit.
 17. A mechanism according to claim 16, wherein the inner body defines a second slit along the longitudinal axis, said second slit being configured to receive the moving element of the electric switching member.
 18. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the button element comprises:a rod.
 19. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the moving element is the moving element of a circuit breaker.
 20. A mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the link comprises:a shoulder configured to jam the link in the abutting position. 